Single Review

Track Title: Statue Still

It’s a beautiful thing when a reviewer is able to say that they where there when a track is played live for the first time, then be able to sit back a few months later and review the progress and evolution of that such track from start to the finished article.

China Bears have been able to transform Statue Still from a honest picture painted by vivid lyrics that had a promise of layers of raw sound, to a stronger and punchy indie track which has been produced to a polished song which deserves the right to be a single.

“Statue Still" is written about those initial stages of loss and healing,” explains singer Ivan. “For me it's like the feeling you get after you watch a great film in the cinema. The film is over and you now have to go home, but you just want to stay in that theatre and be in that world for a little while longer. You're aware it's over but you didn't want it to end and you weren't ready, so you're just stuck in that in-between. You can't stay forever though, and it's better to walk yourself out than the ushers coming to remove you.”

The record in it’s self has a electrifying spiky guitar sections moulding about the tone and has the concrete of the steady beat from the drum and bass, but Ivan’s vocals have a soft unique vibe which flows with the tempo changes and comes to live even more when the harmonies comes from the backing vocals.

After listening to the transformation of Statue Still and knowing that there is more to come from China Bears, there is an excitement of which track they will pick next for a single from the other songs which saw the light of day at the gig those many months ago, or even better we may even get a EP which we've been assured this track belongs too.

4 Hooks out of 5

Written by Kess Anthony

China Bears Gig Review

Venue: Cheese and Grain, Frome

It was the first gig of the year (and decade) for us at Off the Hook Music, just down the road at the Cheese and Grain, Frome. The venue opened its doors for a free event in their cafe area thanks to new promoter, Paddy. With China Bears headlining his first promotion, its a bright start for the young promotor and we will be looking out for his events in the future.

There was a steady number of gig goers coming and going during the evening, with a varied demographic within the crowd who all enjoyed an evening of entertainment. Four bands took to the stage, all offering different genres of music for the audience.

China Bears came together for the first time in a month since the Christmas period, but any concerns about them being out of practice were quickly cast aside as they ploughed through their set list, which lasted over an hour. The crowd were gifted to a whole load of new material from China Bears after sitting down in the later part of 2019 and writing new songs. Tonight ‘Statue Still’, ‘Jolene’, and ‘Back to how It was’, were unveiled to the world for the first time. ‘Jolene’ is screaming out to be a single in the future, the new tracks are a stronger tone of rock Indie than what we have heard before from China Bears.

But It wasn’t all about the new stuff as China Bears also ripped through their known and established songs, stamping the start with tracks like ‘Sunday’ to set the mood and ending the event with their second last track ‘Meet me in London’ which felt a fitting way to end the set.

The support act came in the way of Howlin’ for Riley, there’s a lot of potential with this band, good presence on stage and nicely crafted indie pop tracks. The first time and Alice has stepped in Frome and they got a good reception for their free flowing rock which was easy to listen too.

Date: Friday 10th January 2020

Written by Kess Anthony

China Bears Single Review: Stay for good

Release date: 22nd March 2019

China Bears are an indie four piece band based in Buckinghamshire but this band originally formed in Somerset in 2015 when twin brothers Ivan and Frazer Proctor decided to make music together and now with Dean McCaw and James Zealey adding their musical talents to the band, China Bears have dropped their new single ‘Stay for good’, so let see what’s it’s all about.

The track starts with blistering guitars that takes you by surprise and you begin to realise you have caught up with the record but just at that moment, the track calms right down to a rhythm which introduces Ivan’s voice and mellowed tones.

Ivan then gently pulls outs catchy lyrics which makes your ears pay attention to the record’s words about struggling to get over a break up and lyrics like “Oceans between us on unsettled seas” allows this record to be an Indie display with great momentum and layer of upper tempo and slower beats blinding into one another successfully.

During the song there are a couple of sudden bursts of spiky guitar from Frazer and James which comes out of nowhere which are a nice contrast from the quieter moments within the song, the structure of the record comes from the a good base drum beat from Dean throughout the song.

At the end of the track China Bears strip the song back to just the vocals of Ivan which allows a sadness to bleed out of the lyrics, then a fitting end appears with a smack of guitars to bring the curtains down on Stay for good. Great track!

3.5 Hooks out of 5